Pain in the lower abdomen often concerns the intestines, bladder, prostate (men) or the uterus and ovaries/fallopian tubes (women). The pain can be located on the left or right side of the lower abdomen. Sometimes there are painful stitches. What can cause pain and how to recognize it?
The underbelly
The lower abdomen refers to that part of the abdomen closest to the legs. The lower abdomen contains the intestines, bladder, uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes (female) and the prostate (male). The lower abdomen is located below the diaphragm.
Pain in the lower abdomen
Pain in the lower abdomen is just as common as pain in the upper abdomen. The upper abdomen contains the stomach, bile ducts, spleen and pancreas. It is therefore important to know where the pain is located. Sometimes the pain is located in the lower abdomen but radiates to other parts of the body.The most common pain in the lower abdomen is intestinal pain, caused by gastrointestinal diseases, infections or stress. The bladder can also feel painful due to inflammation. Furthermore, women in particular often suffer from uterine discomfort, which causes pain.
Pain in the intestines
Intestinal pain often occurs in the form of intestinal cramps. Intestinal cramps often occur as a result of an intestinal infection, for example due to eating bad food. The intestinal wall becomes inflamed. Flatulence, diarrhea and cramps are symptoms. Intestinal cramps due to food poisoning usually disappear after a few days. In young children and older men it is important to ensure that they do not become dehydrated due to diarrhea. Drinking enough is important.Intestinal cramps or pain in the intestines can also be caused by a food allergy. Many people also have lactose intolerance. This means that milk (products), which contain the milk sugar lactose, cannot be digested properly. This causes complaints such as abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea and a bloated feeling.A spastic or irritable bowel causes abdominal complaints and problems with defecation. The origin of a spastic intestine is unclear, but patients can suffer considerably from this. Stress also causes intestinal cramps. This is actually a survival mechanism. Stress stimulates the intestines to empty, so that one is ready to flee for a long time. In our current society, flights are no longer necessary, which makes it often difficult to have to spend a lot of time on the toilet. After the stressful period is over, the intestinal complaints disappear.Appendicitis is caused by a bacteria. The pain is felt below the breastbone and then spreads to the lower right side. There is pressure pain, but also release pain. The patient may have diarrhea. Sometimes a fever also occurs. A doctor should always be notified in case of appendicitis. Appendicitis that is not treated can ultimately be fatal.Other causes of intestinal cramps or intestinal pain can be: incorrect diet or lifestyle, poorly functioning stomach muscle, colon cancer, celiac disease, ulcers in the intestine, infection, Cröhn’s disease or other intestinal diseases.
Pain in the bladder
The most common cause of bladder pain or pain when urinating is a bladder infection. A bladder infection is more common in women than in men. Among women, pregnant women are more likely to suffer from a bladder infection. A woman’s urethra is shorter than a man’s, making it easier for bacteria to find their way to the bladder. With a bladder infection there is pain during urination, a burning sensation, and sometimes blood in the urine. An untreated bladder infection can cause a kidney infection.Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome is a chronic bladder infection and occurs rarely. When the bladder is full it hurts. The wall of the bladder becomes less elastic. The urethra is also painful. The pain can radiate to the thighs and back.Bladder polyps can be benign or malignant. Bladder polyps often cause frequent urination and pain in the lower abdomen. Bladder polyps must always be removed. With bladder cancer, the symptoms often include blood in the urine, pain when urinating and frequent urination.
Prostate pain (men)
Prostate pain manifests itself in the area between the rectum and the scrotum. Urinary problems may arise. Men between the ages of 35 and 50 more often suffer from prostate pain. The cause is an irritated prostate. A warm bath and possibly medication often reduce the symptoms.An inflammation of the prostate can be recognized by pain in the lower abdomen, pain in the back, pain in the penis and pain between the buttocks and the scrotum. The urge to urinate is increased, but only small amounts are urinated. Fever may also occur. Treatment consists of drinking plenty of water and antibiotics.Pain from prostate cancer usually only occurs in an advanced stage, such as metastases. Prostate cancer mainly occurs in men over 60 years of age. The aggressive form of prostate cancer is more common in men between the ages of 40 and 60. Half of all 80-year-old men have prostate cancer, but most men do not know this. At this age, prostate cancer is usually mild and slow-growing. Older men often die from ailments other than prostate cancer.
Pain in the uterus and ovaries/fallopian tubes
The most common pain in the lower abdomen in women comes from the uterus. The uterus can cause pain that often cannot be traced back to a clear cause. The pain complaints can vary from a mild pain that occurs occasionally to a severe, continuous stabbing pain.With endometriosis, uterine lining is present in the abdominal cavity. This uterine lining grows under the influence of hormones, which causes pain. The pain complaints worsen during menstruation, intercourse or during defecation. There is also often back pain. There is no good treatment for this, but painkillers are often prescribed. The pill can also reduce pain complaints. As much as possible can be removed through surgery. However, there remains a chance that endometriosis will return.Fibroids (myomas) in the uterus are benign growths in the muscle tissue. Most complaints consist of menstrual pain or heavy menstruation, sometimes pain in the lower back. A fibroid that is attached to the uterus with a stem and suddenly twists, causes severe pain in the lower abdomen. Fibroids are only removed if they cause complaints. The risk of new fibroids remains present.Pain in the ovaries or fallopian tubes is usually the result of inflammation, e and ectopic pregnancy or cysts (PCOS). An enlarged ovary or a blocked fallopian tube can also cause pain. Ovarian cancer occurs in 1,100 women in the Netherlands annually, and fallopian tube cancer occurs in 1,400 women annually. The complaints are pain in the lower abdomen, sudden blood loss, abdominal swelling, difficulty urinating and/or defecating.